Arrest made in murder of Bridge City man

Police say they have found the man responsible for the murder of Nicholas Rosen, 22, of Bridge City, after a drug deal turned deadly in northern Beaumont.

At approximately 2:14 p.m. Thursday, April 4, police stopped a dark-colored Nissan Altima at I-10 and Seventh Street to find the rear window of the car shot out and Rosen — a passenger in the car — with a gunshot wound to the back of the head.

Police allowed the vehicle to continue on to St. Elizabeth Hospital, where the 22-year-old man from Bridge City was rushed to surgery and was listed in critical condition, according to Beaumont Police Department spokesman Rob Flores.

“We subsequently found out this was a result of a drug deal,” Flores said. “They were in the 10000 block of Gage (Road).”

Flores said sometime during the drug transaction, one of the drug dealers opened fire on the vehicle, which was occupied by Rosen and at least three other family members.

Soon after Rosen’s arrival at St. Elizabeth Hospital on April 4, Flores said a manhunt was underway with the help of K-9 units and the Jefferson County helicopter unit. Police did not say what kind of weapon was used in the shooting, but that at least one shot was fired into the back window of the car.

On April 18, Rosen died as a result of the shooting.

A little more than a month after the shooting, on Wednesday, May 9, police arrested Derek Robinson, 23, who was charged with the murder of Rosen.

Robinson refused questions from reporters as he was led from the police station Wednesday night.

Detective Jesus Tamayo hinted Robinson may have confessed to his part in the murder of Rosen.

“He’s being somewhat cooperative,” he said.

Robinson’s bond has been set at $1 million due to Robinson being a possible flight risk, according to Tamayo, who said the investigation is ongoing.